Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) and center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) and guard Dante Exum (11) look on against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis. That is all.
8. Utah Jazz
While I don’t think it’s a given that the Jazz will return to postseason play next year, I think it’s more than reasonable for fans to expect them to be in the mix. For my money, we have the best young core in the west in Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Dante Exum and Rodney Hood.
Some will bemoan the fact that Dennis Lindsey and the Jazz brain trust elected to forego the free agent frenzy, but with their first-rate defense and continued growth from within, our boys in blue will still continue their climb toward the top of the standings.
9. Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki is showing his age more with each passing season and it’s hard to know what to expect from the incoming guard line of Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews, but mark my words–don’t sleep on the Dallas Mavericks.
Even without DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs won’t be content to fade quietly into the night. If Dirk remains healthy and productive, Matthews comes back strong from the injury and D-Will can recapture some of his past glory, Dallas could be a tough out in the playoffs once again.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
Make no mistake about it, the Trail Blazers have been gutted following the exodus of LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez. I’m not a huge fan of Aldridge and Matthews is coming off a pretty serious injury, but it still hurts to lose most of your team’s core.
Damian Lillard is locked down, C.J. McCollum and Noah Vonleh are intriguing young players and the team has acquired solid pros in Gerald Henderson and Al-Farouq Aminu, but Portland will have a difficult time winning another 50-plus games in 2015-16.
Next: The Rest (11-15)